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Jameis Winston makes all right moves as Buccaneers' minicamp opens

Jameis Winston knows there is no margin for error given the immense pressure he faces to live up to expectations on and off the field. "And I'm taking it seriously. I'm just ready to play football," he said.

TAMPA — When Jameis Winston got that draft-night text from Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith saying "We're married now,'' one promise flashed in the mind of the top overall pick that Smith, general manager Jason Licht and the Glazer family are betting heavily on as their franchise transformer.

Winston knows there is no margin for error given the immense pressure he faces to live up to expectations on and off the field.

"Well, I have to do my best now not to get divorced,'' Winston told USA TODAY Sports after Friday's opening of rookie minicamp at One Bucs Place. "It's a tremendous responsibility.

"And I'm taking it seriously. I'm just ready to play football.

"This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I just want to do everything to take advantage of it.''

The charismatic quarterback looked every bit as advertised Friday after staying up until 1 a.m. to familiarize himself with offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter's playbook. The 21-year-old who said he felt like a 6-year-old Friday went to greet his rookie teammates Thursday when they arrived on the bus from the team hotel for that night's introductory meeting.

"It shows he's a team player, a likable guy, a good teammate,'' rookie right guard Ali Marpet said. "He's excited to do something special here. He's definitely an excitable guy and an awesome guy to have in the huddle.''

It's all about Winston's promise now, that Super Bowl-winning upside the Bucs invested $24.35 million over four years to resurrect them from the ashes of 2-14.

It is all about Winston's word to Smith, Licht and the Glazers there will be no more off-field character questions that they extensively vetted, including a 2012 sexual assault allegation during his freshman season as Florida State's Heisman Trophy winning quarterback. Winston was accused but never was charged.

The Bucs investigated that and other off-field incidents including a citation for shoplifting crab legs from a Tallahassee grocery store and serving a one-game suspension for using vulgar language in a student center. They came away convinced Winston is likely to mature and won't let them down because Smith and Licht have bet their careers he won't.

"I'm putting the past behind me,'' Winston said. "And one way I can win over the fans is by my actions. I don't believe people stay on a path too long when you have a bright future.

"When you're doing stuff in the community, representing them well, I believe you can earn your respect that way.''

On Friday, all eyes were on Winston. Sure, he knew.

"It didn't matter,'' he said. "I've played in stadiums where it felt like 100,000 fans. I'm just on that football field going out trying to get better.''

He looked right at home under the minicamp microscope that attracted nearly 40 media members and several national media outlets.

Sure, the new face of the Buccaneers threw some wobbly ducks. Overall, however, Winston was highly accurate, radiating strong command and a leader's presence.

"He's the real deal,'' former Buccaneers quarterback Shaun King said. "I wouldn't even worry how he threw the ball today with new receivers, new plays. None of these receivers other than (fifth-round pick) Kenny Bell will even make this team.

"He'll be fine.''

One throw jumped out. Late in the period open to news media, Winston fired a pretty 70-yard touchdown to Bell on an X-pump down the left sideline. Winston lofted a 50-yard perfect strike that carried over the defensive back and hit Bell in perfect stride.

At one point, Winston and fellow rookie quarterback Seth Lobato high-fived receivers. Winston went further, coaching up rookie free-agent receiver Rannell Hall on how to get in and out of his breaks quicker. Then, he said, "Good job! Keep working.''

Marpet said that other than a couple of minor protection errors, Winston did an excellent job.

He did an excellent job of handling the biggest question: Does he expect to be the Day 1 starter?

"I'm just trying to compete and earn a spot,'' Winston said. "I'm not claiming that I'm the starter. Obviously, I'm planning to be. But I want to get better, first get accepted into the locker room and earn the respect from my teammates, even the janitors.''